Sometimes the longer we wait for a promise from God to be fulfilled, the more glorious is His answer. There were 400 years between Malachi and Matthew. Those years are often called the silent years. There had been no prophet's voice, and the people began to be alarmed.

They didn't know why they had to wait. Looking back on that period, though, scholars tell us that those years were necessary. Three things were happening to prepare the world for the Messiah.

First, during those years a road system was developed that would be necessary for the spread of the Gospel.

Second, a large number of people began to speak a common language as Greek became the predominant language.

Third, much study about the Messiah brought an interest and desire for Him to appear.

Often God's purposes are not seen at the time, but if we know He has heard us pray, we can rejoice in the waiting. He knows what He is doing and why He must delay the answer to bring us a greater good.

Thank You, Lord, for grace to wait patiently for the fulfillment of Your promise.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:4)."Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay" (Habakkuk 2:3).